BACKGROUND Photochemical degradations of three commonly used artificial sweeteners, namely aspartame (ASP), acesulfame K (ACE), and sucralose (SUC), are studied in multicomponent aqueous systems, and treated through UV/H2O2 process in a recirculating batch reactor. The biodegradation characteristics of the three sweeteners are also investigated both in single and multicomponent aqueous systems through respirometry. The results are used to draw conclusions and recommendations for onsite treatment of industrial wastewaters containing artificial sweeteners. RESULTS The effects of the operating temperature and the applied H2O2 dosage are found to be significant on the overall degradation efficiency. An interaction effect between aspartame and sucralose is identified, resulting in a temporary improvement in total organic carbon (TOC) removal in some cases. Respirometric tests confirm that acesulfame K and sucralose are non-biodegradable, whereas aspartame is readily biodegradable with a 6-day carbonaceous biochemical oxygen demand to theoretical oxygen demand (cBOD(6)/ThOD) ratio of 0.63 +/- 0.02. CONCLUSIONS It is concluded that activated sludge processes can remove ASP even in the presence of ACE and SUC. The latter two compounds cannot be degraded by activated sludge. Hence, the UV/H2O2 process is a suitable treatment technique for simultaneous removal when all three sweeteners are present in an aqueous matrix. A higher temperature of the wastewater stream may be used as a process variable to reduce oxidant dosing when applicable. (c) 2020 Society of Chemical Industry